Otis Library Hybrid Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 8, 2024
6:00 PM, Meeting Room*, Otis Library
Sue Brofman, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM. Members present: Jim Adams (Zoom), Sue Brofman, Tom Burke, Diane Dyer, Susan Ebitz, Brad Havill (Zoom), Gloria Mamohkin, Carol Reife (Zoom), and Celeste Watman. Absent: Donna Rich
A motion was made by Celeste, seconded by Tom, to approve the January Meeting Minutes.
Tom delivered the Treasurer’s Report. He noted that the payroll was up from the previous year. It was noted that Kathy had reduced her hours during this time. He will continue to monitor these expenses and hopes to see a “leveling out” moving forward. A motion was made by Celeste, seconded by Susan, to approve the treasurer’s report. The motion was unanimously approved.
Directors Report: February 2024 submitted by Brad Havill
• Staffing:
o Kerry is out for six or so weeks due to surgery, Molly is filling in for most of that.
o Programming/Outreach position has been posted on MBLC. No responses yet.
• Attendance:
o Has remained consistent with tallies from the last 2 months (50-60/week)
• Programming:
o Cookbook Club: January had a good turnout, looking forward to a good turn out tomorrow
o The Book Club was postponed to March
o Lego Club: Not happening this month. Kerry schedules this. It might have coincided with the school break.
o 3D Printer: huge thanks to Bill and Celeste
We have been doing a lot of printing, there has been a lot of interest.
• Annual Appeal: $12,926 in checks, $600 in Credit Cards
o Pay Pal
• Legislative Breakfast: Very good turnout
A motion was made by Susan, seconded by Tom, to approve the Director’s report. The motion was unanimous.
4. Old/Ongoing Business
Small Population Grant (SPG) – A Hybrid community Meeting, at Otis Town Hall, 6:30 PM with Andrea Bono-Bunker, was held on January 31st. Andrea gave an overview of and explained the specifics of the grant to twenty-five people who attended in person or via Zoom. Currently, the town has filed a letter of intent with the Massachusetts Library Board of Commissioners (MBLC). A formal application must be filed by the town by 4:00 PM 0n May 31,2024. Certified votes for local approval and appropriations for application and Planning and Design phase local funding are due by 4:00 PP, June 16, 2024. The $150,000 requested from the town for the Planning and Design Phase of the grant will be returned to the community if the Otis Library is not chosen as one of grant recipients. A link to the recording of this meeting can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP_-HwB9daM
Brad and Brandi have been working on the application. In March, the library will explore the potential for purchasing a site in town to have as a second site. The trustees and staff are open to the idea of splitting a 100-acre plot into two sites. Sue B. asked that all trustees come to the selectboard meeting on February 27th when she asks that $6,800 used for site planning on the Erbe Property be returned.
FYI: StoryWalk – “The Artivist” by Nicholas Smith, will remain up through the month of February 29th.
FYI: Book Club – will meet the third Thursday of the month at 4:00 PM. This hybrid meeting will take place at the library and on Zoom March 21, 2024, at 4:00 PM. The book is In Memoriam by Alice Winn:
5.New Business:
Marketing – Tom proposed that the library use its website to become more marketable to the community. He suggested that we add tabs for areas of interest such as the Small Population Grant, and a donate tab. He also proposed that we could be more visible on social media. All information for this website should be submitted to Brad. In other communication initiatives, Brad reported that Constant Contact would cost $468 annually but allow us to easily reach out to six hundred people in our database. Celeste made a motion to fund this initiative that was seconded by Gloria. The motion was unanimously approved.
Otis Library Fair – The Library Fair will be held on Saturday, July 6th on the Town Green from 10:00 – 3:00 PM.
Committees: Otis Library Fair: Chairs and Co-Chairs are in parenthesis
Vendors (Lois)
Publicity (Tom)
Food (Susan B. & Tony)
Raffle (Celeste & Susan)
Family & Children’s Activities (Donna & Susan E.)
Bake Sale (Diane & Gloria)
Book Sale (Friends of the Library)
Set -up/ Clean up (All)
Parking (Jim E. Robert R, & Dimitri M.)
Other
Other: If you were not in attendance in person, the meeting was difficult to hear. It was suggested that Brad investigate a microphone for our meetings.
At 7:53, Tom made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Susan. The Board unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Ebitz, Secretary
Next Meeting: March 14, 2024
Future Meetings: April 11, 2024, May 9, 2024, June 13, 2024
Future Meetings: March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12, October 10, November 14, December 12, 2024